kestrelpc
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 114
  
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Some advice I was given when I bought my first van was to book a weekend at a site local to home.
Not only do you have plenty of time in setting up due to the local nature of the site, but you will also have the added advantage of being able to 'pop home' if you find you need something (or even to sleep the night if you get realy stuck).
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 28th Feb 2014 6:12 pm |
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R500sac
Member Since: 14 May 2011
Location: Monmouth, South Wales
Posts: 141
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A long twin axle caravan is actually a lot easier to tow (forwards and backwards) than a small trailer. If it's loaded properly (and you watch the weight distribution and nose weight) it'll be rock solid when towing.
However, you'll need to remember that there is both a huge overhang at the back, and that corners get cut a lot! If you are aware of this its not so bad.
Everyone is scared of reversing, but it is actually really, really easy - just take your time and have another go if you need to.....
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| 28th Feb 2014 6:18 pm |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
  
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maplecottage wrote:Depending on where in SE London, site member Ted Newman may well be able to provide you with some local advice
We used to store at the CC Abbey Woods site - extremely secure but very expensive - was over £800.00 a year I now have a neighbours back garden for storing unfortunately not room for two 'vans.  LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 28th Feb 2014 6:59 pm |
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kev stephenson
Member Since: 11 Feb 2014
Location: huddersfield
Posts: 44
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Load it properly when towing, get your nose weight right and get the weight low down in the trailer and it will tow a dream. Have too much/too little nose weight and it will want to dance all over.
Beer is essential, be aware you will likely pitch up and be ratted for the entire time you are on site due to a constant but slow infusion of stubby bottles so make sure you have everything packed.
The suggestion for having a weekend just a few miles from home is a good one. The kids won't know how far you have gone and the grass is green where ever in the country you are.
Pull over to let the massive snake of cars following you get passed on the A roads. The roads aren't lovely and clear, every  is behind you calling you all sorts!!
Go to a retail park one sunday evening and practise reversing into set spaces or weave backwards through the lamp posts. Reversing is easy especially with a long trailer once you grasp the concept just take it slow, massive input to the steering will make you snake all over the place.
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| 28th Feb 2014 7:44 pm |
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richuk
Member Since: 27 May 2012
Location: Dorset
Posts: 559
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Come and visit us in sunny Weymouth. www.eastfleet.co.uk . We love to pitch newbies near to reception so we can have a giggle   .
We might even be persuaded to offer a little forum discount.
If you are thinking about an awning, get an inflatable one. Numerous divorces no doubt were instigated over an argument about awning poles  . Rich
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
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| 28th Feb 2014 7:48 pm |
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KenR
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Argyll Scotland
Posts: 329
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Never be tempted to accelerate downhill to overtake that HGV you've been behind for the last couple of miles a) he will probably out accelerate you and b) you could get yourself into very serious problems.
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| 28th Feb 2014 7:58 pm |
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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
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Some great advice there thanks all!
Anyone heard of thrift woods at Sevenoaks?
Ted??
They have room , seems a place we could do a couple of weekends at plus is cassoa gold MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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| 28th Feb 2014 8:33 pm |
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discomarkie
Member Since: 09 Jan 2013
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 136
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if you going to get a full awning make sure it is an Isabella or its poorer cousin a Ventura, plus carbon/fibre poles with quick catches, they a so easy to erect, almost one handed compared to any others we have had.
and they hold their price secondhand!
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| 1st Mar 2014 8:42 am |
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Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
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for ventura bought it second hand best awning I've ever had . As said before, take your time , if you need help most people will only be too happy to assist . Twin axles are a dream to tow especIally with the discovery , they are very stable . One thing I've found is if backing onto soft ground whilst you are turning at the same time it will carve up the grass . Definitely recommend East fleet (richuk ) some fantastic views and walks . But most of all enjoy yourself You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
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| 1st Mar 2014 9:15 am |
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richuk
Member Since: 27 May 2012
Location: Dorset
Posts: 559
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On the park I quite regularly end up moving vans. I always use low box when manouvering, as it just gives you that extra degree of control, and less stress on the Disco too. Rich
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
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| 1st Mar 2014 9:44 am |
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KenR
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Argyll Scotland
Posts: 329
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Depending on how old you are, you may need to check your licence. If you took your test after 1/1/97 you will only have cat B, not B+E. This will limit you to a total train weight (car plus trailer) of 3500kgs - see page 88 of current Caravan Club magazine
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| 1st Mar 2014 11:17 am |
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Stooby2
Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Sarf Laandaan
Posts: 26
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Learn how to use the caravan facilities before you go away in it :-
How to empty the toilet & fill the flush
How to use the water system - and sterilise it before you use it.
How to connect the gas and use the hot water heater / blown air heating
How & where the 240v hook up plugs in and whether you need you need to manually switch over to it.
How to connect the van to the car - it's probably got an Alko hitch so your towball will need to be clean.
Lock the tow hitch when not in use and also when attached to the car - there's been cases where people have stopped at service stations, gone for a meal and found the caravan missing when they got back to the car.
Insurance companies generally insist on a wheelclamp when the van is parked up so you may need to get one.
Colour code your awning poles with insulation tape before you go. Trying to put an awning up in the howling rain is difficult enough, but when you're also trying to guess what pole goes where, it's a nightmare.
If it hasn't got one, an awning skirt stops the draught under the van freezing you when you're sitting in the awning.
Make sure you have spare 12v car fuses and 240v plug fuses in the van.
Where in SE London ars you? I'm in Croydon, on the Kent border.
Last edited by Stooby2 on 8th Mar 2014 7:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 8th Mar 2014 4:45 pm |
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DALEK
Member Since: 28 Jul 2011
Location: Near Stockport
Posts: 633
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I don't know if you have booked anywhere for Easter but I can recommend Golden Cap in Dorset
http://goldencapholidaypark.co.uk/
Its on a beach by a pub, need I say more  D3 HSE ........................Gone!!!
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| 8th Mar 2014 5:54 pm |
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Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
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As Dalek said, Golden Cap is a great site with a nice pub, go for one of the hard standing pitches on the front. The lane to the site can be a bit nerve racking with a big van though!
My best investment was a motor mover, takes all the stress out of hitching up and pitching on site.
Enjoy it.
Jem 2005 D3 HSE side steps, tints, tlo fridge, egr's blanked.
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| 9th Mar 2014 7:16 pm |
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Lukey
Member Since: 24 Mar 2014
Location: Northants
Posts: 69
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8) Just booked a week in June at Golden Cap, looks good, thanks for the knowledge guys.
Cheers Lukey.
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| 7th Apr 2014 6:50 pm |
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